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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Wonder what I've been up to lately? Oh you know, just getting my sugar on with some candy corn love! I really can't help it. I even tried to join CCLA (Candy Corn Lovers Anonymous). They said I was too far gone and would need medical help. Tell me something I don't know.

For those of you who don't know, I do have a day job. I am the content manager for a cute little company, who happens to own some cute little websites, one of which I am addicted to. It's probably a good thing I work for the site, otherwise my boss would wonder why I spend so much time there.

One of the coolest parts of my job: my boss asked me to start creating original crochet patterns for the site back in May of this year. So when I am not managing content, I am crocheting - and they pay me to do this! Can you believe that? What a sweet gig right?

Anyhow, I figured you might want to know what I do when I am not lurking on Facebook or spinning on Pinterest. If you are interested in making these patterns, they are published free over at Craftown. Just click on the title below the picture to take you to the pattern.

As always, I would love your feedback and comments. Also, if you run into a pattern glitch or whoopsie, just shoot me an email via the contact me form or email me at crochetrochelle@gmail.com.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Last week, my oldest son requested I crochet him a pirate beanie.
Really? A pirate beanie? Yikes! I wasn’t sure my skills were quite up to that
level yet, but I figured “Arrrr!, why not?”

So in the spirit of pillaging and
plundering, I began my quest to design a simple beanie pattern that was quick
and easy. I also had to figure out how to crochet a skull and cross bones applique.
The pattern below is what I came up with!

I think my favorite part of this pattern (besides the toothy
skull) is the simplicity of this beanie. It works up easy and the result is a
nice snug beanie for chilly autumn mornings.

Here in Idaho, Halloween night is
usually pretty cold, so we do a lot of our trick or treating in and out of
cars, creeping along the edge of sidewalks in our favorite neighborhoods.

The other option is to dress like the abominable snowman or
Eskimos every year, and that gets old fast. It’s just too chilly for the little
ones to walk around outdoors in the cold night air. So my other thought is: you
could add some earflaps to this and use it in a pirate costume for Halloween,
and keep little heads and ears toasty warm. I hope you like the pattern.

This beanie will fit kids, ages 4 – 10 years (about 21" circumference). See my note at
the bottom to make this pattern smaller or larger.

Decide on placement for skull and cross bones. I use
quilting pins to hold my applique in place until I have it sewed; otherwise I
find it shifts on me while I am trying to sew it on. Using a yarn needle and
the tails, sew skull and cross bones to the hat. (See image for placement.)

Notes:

For a longer length or to add a little slouch, continue
repeating Rnd 8 to desired length.

To make a smaller hat, stop increasing pattern at Rnd 5 or 6
and skip to Rnd 8, continuing with the number of stitches you created in
previous round.

To make a larger hat, continue increasing pattern after Rnd 7 a few more rounds until desired circumference is achieved. Then continue from Rnd 8 (with the same number of stitches as last increase round) until desired
length is achieved.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

While I was creating my seed stitch cuff (and a few other
patterns I'll be adding soon) I scoured the internet for a hand size chart so I would know the average sized adult woman's hand and wrist. I took matters into my own hands and decided to
create my own version to use as a reference chart and thought you might need one too!

Here is my hand size chart - Enjoy! (Keep in mind this is
based on averages. Always measure for size if you are able to...especially babies.) I like having this chart and my Feet Size Chart just as a rule of thumb. It gives me starting place and I keep a copy in my crochet bag too. I've included a pdf version below for
easier access.

I came up with a simple new cuff last night while watching America's Got Talent. I had three things in mind as I started this project. I wanted to use this new heather gray yarn I bought on sale. I had some red buttons left from a a sweater I recycled back into yarn. And I wanted to practice the seed stitch. So I came up with the following pattern!

The cool thing about this cuff is that it can be created in just about any color, from solids to variegated, with all sorts of buttons as accent pieces. I especially loved the blood red button against the gray yarn. Also, the seed stitch looks really nice worked in the gray yarn. I hope you enjoy creating and wearing your seed stitch cuffs as much as I did and do.

Button
One opposite end from button hole, sew on a large button of your choice. See the images for placement. As always, if you need any help with the pattern please send me an email via the
Contact page and I'll do my best to get back to you promptly.

They are pretty much one size fits newborn up to about 3 years. I would make the ankle straps longer & maybe the toe loop longer if I made these for an elementary age kiddo. I have had so many requests for these from friends and family, I can't help but share. Enjoy the free patterns!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

While I was creating my hearts barefoot sandals (and a few other patterns I'll be adding soon) I scoured the internet for an easy-to-read foot size chart. Not so easy to find let me tell you! I decided to create my own version to use as a reference chart and I figured if I needed one, you might need one too!

Allow me to introduce my foot size chart - Enjoy! (Keep in mind this is based on averages. If I am able, I measure the feet of the project recipient...especially babies.) I've included a pdf version below for easier access.

This pattern has been updated/edited to be a little easier to follow and create. I've also created a YouTube video to go along with the changes in hopes that it will also be an aide to creating the pattern.

I am sharing my first pattern of the site and I think they turned out adorable!

August is half way over, but I couldn't help creating a pair of Barefoot Sandals with Hearts!

I hope you enjoy creating your own pair as much as I enjoyed creating this simple beginner's crochet pattern. If you need any help with the pattern please send me an email via the Contact page and I'll do my best to get back to you promptly.

And now...for my first ever video tutorial to help you create this pattern. I'm having a little trouble embedding the video here in the blog post, so here is the link to access it on YouTube. I'll keep working at it to get it fixed.

Note: For extra length on the ankle straps increase the number of chains. For example, if you want the straps to wrap around ankle twice ch 100, instead of ch 50 as instructed above. This pattern is very adaptable. You can add hearts for different feet sizes or subtract hearts for kids' sizes.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Yes, I am just one of a gazillion crochet blogs on the internet and about now you are thinking "Crazy crochet lady, why should I read, follow or bother with your blog?"

Great question! (I really have no clue how to answer this.) I am going to do my best to provide you with resources, reviews, patterns and information - all about crochet, from my perspective.

Keep it simple sweetie!

That's my big promise to you. I'll keep posts and patterns as simple as I can. And if I am going to throw you a curve ball and post something really "out-there" in terms of difficulty or just plain weird, I'll warn you. There. Now you have a head's up.

I love yarn, color and hook hoarding. Sometimes I buy yarn, not because I have a project in mind, but just because I worry that I won't be able to find that color next time. My husband says I need help. I am a busy wife and mommy to two charming boys, who make me question my sanity at least once a day. I crochet a lot of boyish patterns.

But sometimes, I go off the hook...

And create girly stuff and buy tons of pink yarn. And when I get home, my husband just shakes his head and says "You know we aren't having any more kids right?" Then, I scour my 3 year-old's preschool class for pint size models because he refuses to wear pink hats. I also crochet a lot of pink baby gifts...just to get my girl fix.

That's the basics. I created this blog to keep track of my [teeny-tiny] budding crochet business, things I learn and feel compelled to share and...my love of crochet. My goal is that here you will find...